Portable carrying case



Filed May 27, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 Sheets-She et 2 L. STEIN PORTABLECARRYING CASE Filed May 27, 1940 Nov 18, I941.

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Patented Nov. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE PORTABLE CARRYINGCASE Leo Stein, Chicago, Ill.-

Application May 27, 1940, Serial No. 337,374

14 Claims. (Cl. 281-17) cases are usually made of flexible material,thick laterally and susceptible to bulging due to the contents of thecase, thus causing the case to strike against ones legs when carrying,thereby producing undue wear on ones clothing. Furthermore, due to theflexibility of the material from which such cases are constructed, thecontents of the case would soon cause the bottom .to sag and the case tobecome out of shape, very.

awkward unsightly, uncomfortable to carry and to handle.

One object, therefore of the present invention is to provide a carryingcase for catalogues and the like, which is of substantial construction,of 5 maximum capacity and of minimum thickness.

tributing materially to the elimination of bulk and a reduction inthickness of va case capable of holding the desired quantity ofmaterial.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carrying case of thecharacter described, so

constructed that when open to provide accessi- 5 .bility to the contentsthereof, the case will assume a substantially L-shaped position, andoccupy a minimum amount of space on a table,

desk or .the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a strong, durable case ofsubstantial construction, which will not bulge or sag out of shape fromthe weight of the contents.

Another object of the invention is .to provide a carrying case of novelconstruction and arrangement wherein the contents thereof are securelyheld in fixed position and suitably supported when the case is in closedor carrying position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a case of the characterdescribed, which is of simple construction, readilyaccessible,-convenicut and comfortable to handle, efficient in itsoperation and suitable for the purposeintended.

A still further object of the invention is to improve devices of thecharacter described in sundry details hereinafter referred to andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

One embodiment of the present invention isshown for illustrativepurposes in the accom panying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portable carrying case shown in openposition and embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional elevational view of myimproved carrying case shown in closed position, and taken substantiallyas indicated by the lines 2-2 ,of Fig. 3; a

Fig. 3 is a plan sectional view of the structure illustrated in Figs.land 2, and taken substan- .tially as indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig..2;

Fig; 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of a portion of thestructure illustrated in Fig. 1, and taken substantially as indicated bythe line 44 thereof; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view .of a quantityof sheet material mounted ina loose-leaf binder which may be of any type employed in connection withthe present invention. 1 I

.As illustrated in the drawings, the present in- Vention comprises acomparatively narrow or shallow elongatedbody .member indicated as awhole by the numeral II, and having a base portion l2 towhich acovermember indicated as a whole by the numeral 14 is'hinged orconnected at I 3 along one of the long edges.

For supporting a quantity of sheet material indicated at 1.5, boundtogether in binders of any preferred style for illustration shown in thepresent instance, as a pair of binding strips It in the carrying caseII, the cover member 14, preferably, is provided with a binder retainerindicated as a whole by the numeral [1 secured to the inner side of thecover and extending transversely therein.

The retainer, shown in the present instance, is positioned on the covermember at one side of a plane extending transversely to the cover memberadjacent the central portion thereof, preferably adjacent the end of thecover member I4 or, broadly speaking, between one end of the cover and.an intermediate positionb The style and design of the retainer willdepend upon the particular type of binder used and in some instances thebinder and retainer may be a unit in itself, as for example, thesheetmaterial might be retained in ring binders disposed transversely of thecover member, the particular style of binder and rack depending upon thematerial to be held. For illustrative purposes, I have shown the bindersof the character shown in Fig. 5 for containing the sheet material I5and removably securing it in the retainer. In this instance the retaineris provided adjacent one of its side edges with a lip portion I8providing a socket or recess adapted to receive one end portion of thestrips I6, as shown in Fig. 2, while the opposite side of the retaineris provided with a lip I9 having an inwardly extending edge portion 20for engaging the opposite end of the strips I6 and securing the same andtheir contents removably in the retainer. There is thus provided astructure whereby a group or a book of bound sheet material may bereadily attached or detached from the cover for taking out to displaythesame. The type of retainer shown, as mentioned before, is forillustrative purposes. .Rings or ring binders or any other type ofdevice for securing the sheets, pages, booklets or the like can beemployed for the purpose.

For securely holding the sheet material I5 in relatively fixed positionwith respect to the cover member I4 when the case is closed or incarrying position, a follower or flap 2| preferably of relatively broaddimension and extending substantially throughout the length of the covermember I4, is hingedly connected to one end portion of the cover memberby means shown in the present instance as a strap 22 secured to one endportion of the cover, and formed preferably of webbing or the like, thestrap 22 being shown in the present instance as laced through slits oropenings 23 formed in the flap, the opposite or' free end portion 24 ofthe strap 22 being adapted to engage a buckle 25 or other suitableconnection, secured by a strip of webbing 26 or the like to the oppositeend portion of the cover member I4.

It will be apparent that by such an arrangement, when the case is closedor in carrying position, the contents I5 may be secured snugly withinthe cover-member and case, and in relatively fixed position with respectthereto.

For supporting the lower edge portions of the material I5 when the caseis in closed position, and to prevent sagging of the sheets and therebyplace a strain on the binding thereof, the body member I I is providedadjacent its bottom portion with a false bottom, spacer or, filler 21,as-clearly illustrated in Fig. 2, and whichmay be covered with asuitable fabric or'soft covering material 28 to protect the edgeportions of the sheets.

It will thus be seen that the device provides a display and carryingcase consisting of two co} operating sections, as illustrated,elongated; and more or less shallow sections, hinged together at meetingedges, one section provided with means disposed transversely of thesection between one end and an intermediate position for detachablysecuring flexible sheet material to the section, the same extendingtransversely the section when inserted. The combined depth of the twosections is less than the width of the material to be held with thespace in the section between the securing means and the opposite endproviding a space for containing the free edges of the material when thesame is in the position shown in Fig. 3 and the case is closed andlocked. While the material is secured at one end when the case is closedfor carrying, the weight of the same is more or less distributedthroughout the length of the case. However, as was noted, the handle 33may be disposed toward the bound edges of the sheets of material ifrequired to secure perfect balance.

It will be noted that by reason of the base extension I2, the case has asubstantial baseportion to permit of supporting the case insubstantially L-shaped position when open, as clearly illustrated inFig. 1, thereby providing a structure which, even when open, will occupya minimum of space on a table, desk or the like, and thereby avoidinterference with other material, such for example, as samples or theiike positioned on the table. It also presents an attractive appearance.

It will be apparent also that by positioning the binder rack I1 andbinders mounted therein at one'side of the central transverse plane ofthe cover and case, the contents, when the flap 2I is removed, arereadily accessible and handy for reference use; also that by such anarrangement,

the opposite end portion of the cover member is available for a tablet29 or other material which may be found desirable to carry within thecase.

As illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the body portion of the case may beprovided with a pocket 3 I, in which an order book 32, pictures, loosesheets or other similar article or articles may be carried. Owing to thepositioning of the binder bracket I'I, the binders I6 mounted thereinand the bulk of the sheet material contained in said binders adjacentone end portion of the cover member and case and at one side of thecentral transverse plane thereof, the carrying handles 33 are alsopreferably positioned at or adjacent the same side of the transversecentral plane of the case in order to provide suitable balance for thecontents thereof.

It will be apparent from th foregoing description that the presentinvention provides a strong rugged structure, capable of resistingbulging or sagging of the case due to the weight of the contentsthereof, and wherein such contents are readily accessible, convenientfor handling, and capable of being held securely in relatively fixedposition with respect to the case when in carrying condition, or whenbeing transported from one place to another.

Also that the present invention providesaconstruction and arrangementwhereby a case of maximum capacity will occupy a minimum of space whenin open or closed condition. The decreased thickness of the coveriscompensated for by the increased length so that the capacity is notrestricted, thus a maximum of material may be carried conveniently andcomfortably, with the weight well distributed. The trim appearance, whenclosed, makes it attractive to the eye, and

the convenience when open enables the salesman 1. In an article oftheclass described and in combination; a body member, a cover memberhingedly connected thereto, a binder retainer mounted on the inner sidewall of one of said members adjacent one end thereof and adapted tosupport a 'pluralityof binders containing a member.

balance when carried by said handle carrying .member adjacent one endthereof, a plurality o'f binders containing material mounted in saidretainer, and means having portions *securedadjacent the respective endportions of the cover member for securing the material in substantiallyfixed position with respect to said cover 3. In an article of the classdescribed and in combination, a body member, a cover member hingedlyconnected thereto, a binder retainer mounted on the inner side wall ofsaid cover member adjacent one end thereof, a plurality of looseleafbinders for containing sheet material removably mounted in said rack, asheet engaging flap operatively related to said sheet material, andmeans having portions secured adjacent the respective end portions ofthe cover member and operatively related to said flap for clamping theflap snugly against contained material for securing the material insubstantially fixed position with respect to said cover member.

4. In an article of the class described and in combination, a bodymember, a cover member hingedly connected thereto, a binder retainermounted on the inner side wall of said cover member at one side of aplane extending transversely of the cover member adjacent the centralportion thereof, a plurality of binders for containing materialremovably mounted in said retainer, a material engaging flap operativelyrelated to said material, and connectable, manually operated meanshaving portions secured adjacent the respective end portions of thecover member and operatively related to said flap for securing the flapsnugly against said material to secure the same in substantially fixedposition with respect to said cover member.

5. In an article of the class described and in combination, a bodymember, a cover member hingedly connected thereto, a binder retainerextending substantially one-half the length of said cover member andmounted on the inner side wall thereof at one side of a plane extendingtransversely of the cover member adjacent the central portion thereof, aplurality of binders for containing material removably mounted in saidretainer, a material engaging flap operatively related to said materialand hingedly connected to one end portion of said cover member, andmeans secured adjacent the opposite end portion of the cover member andoperatively related to said flap for securing the flap snugly againstsaid material and retaining the same in substantially fixed positionwith respect to said cover member.

6. A display and carrying case of the kind described, comprising twocooperating sections hinged together at meeting edges, one sectionprovided with means disposed transversely of the section between one endand an intermediate point for securing flexible sheet material disposedon edge in the section, the combined depth of the two sections beingless than the width of the material to be held, the space in the sectionbetween the securing means and the opposite end constituting a space forcontaining the folded over free edges of the material when the case isclosed, and handle carrying means arranged on the exterior of the caseat a point intermediate the ends, whereby the case and contents are in'7. A display and carrying case scribed, comprising two cooperatingsections hinged together at meeting edges, one section means.

0f the kind deconstituting a cover provided with finding means disposedtransversely of the cover between one end and an intermediate point forbinding and detachably securing flexible sheet material on edgein thecover and transversely thereto, the combined depth of the two sectionsbeing less than the width of the material to be held, the spaces in thesections between the said securing means and its opposite end providinga space for containing the free edges of the material when the materialis fixed into overlapping relation therein and the case is closed.

8. A display'and carrying case of the kind described, comprising twocooperating substantially elongated shallow sections hinged together atmeeting edges, one section provided with means disposed thereintransversely the Section between the hinged edge and the free edge andat one side of a plane transversely of intersecting the section fordetachably securing bound or unbound flexible sheet material to thesection, the width of the sheet material between the bound edges and thefree edges being greater than the combined depth of the two sections ofthe case, the space in the section at the opposite side of saidtransverse plane providing a compartment for containing the free edgesof the material secured in the case, and means for retaining said freeedges in said compartment when the case is closed.

9. In a case of the kind described and in combination, a receptacle bodymember, a cover member connected thereto, a retainer mountedtransversely in the cover member, and a binder constructed to secure aquantity of sheets of material together, said binder detachably mountedin the retainer and disposed to hold the sheets on edge in the cover.

10. In a case of the kind described and in combination, a body member, acover member comprising a face member provided with a flange on three ofits edges and hingedly connected at its flangeless fourth edge to an ede of the body member, a binder retainer mounted on the inner side of thecover face member between the hinged edge and the opposite flanged edge,and constructed to engage the sheets adjacent one edge of each sheetwith the sheets standing on edge and extending outwardly from the innerface of the cover member.

11. In a case of the class described and in combination, a body memberconstituting a tray consisting of a face member flanged about its edges,a cover consisting of a face member provided with a flange about threeedges thereof and hingedly connected to one of the flanges of the tray,and sheet binder retainers mounted on the inner side of the cover facemember adjacent one end of the cover, and a plurality of binders eacharranged to hold a plurality of sheets detachably mounted in saidretainers.

12. An article of the class described and in combination, a body memberconstituting a tray, a cover therefor hingedly connected thereto, aplurality of binder retainers mounted in said cover adjacent one end andextending across the same between the hinged edge and the opposite sideof the cover, and a plurality of sheet binders removably secured in saidretainers.

13. In a case of the kind described and in combination, a body memberconsisting of a substantially rigid face wall provided with a flangeabout the periphery thereof, a cover therefor consisting of asubstantially rigid face wall providedwith a flange at three edges oftheperiphery thereof, and hingedly connected at the fourth edge to a flangeof the body member, a plurality of retainers for sheet binders mountedon the face wall bination, a flanged body member substantially.

constituting a tray, acover member consisting of a face s ide or bottomand flanged about three edges thereof and hinged at the fourth edge tothe body member, a plurality of retainers mounted onthe inner face ofthe cover between one end and the transverse axis thereof, a pluralityof binders removably mounted in said retain- ,ers, each constructed tocontain a quantity of sheet material therein, said sheet materialnormally standing-on edge and extending outwardly from the cover memberwhen the case is opened but flexiblev over towardthe opposite end of thecover when the case is closed, and a shelf. ar-

ranged within the body member at the hinged edge thereof for supportingthe ends of said sheet material during the carrying of the case whenclosed. v H v VLEO STEIN,

